[543] App. 25. Lord Lewis Gordon to Thomas Grant of Auchynany, dated Huntly Castle, 6th Dec.—As Lord Lieutenant of the Countys of Aberdeen and Banff, I am to raise a man for each £100 of valued Rent within the same, and where Fractions happen the same is to yield a Man. I hope, therefore, you will be so good as to send to Keith Tuesday next such a number of ablebodied men, as will answer to the Valuation of your estate well cloathed in short cloaths, Plaid, new Shoes, and three pair of hose and accoutred with shoulder belt, gun, pistol and sword. I have appointed a proper officer to attend at Keith the above day for receiving the men. I need not tell a man of your good sense and knowledge the hazard of not complying with the demand. Your Prudence will no doubt direct you to avoid hardships of military execution, wherein you’ll extremely oblige, Sir, your most humble servant.
App. 26. C. of G., ii. 190. Thomas Grant of Auchynanie to Mr. Grant, 11th Dec. (From Arndillie.) Lord Lewis Gordon has only 300 men, and of these only 100 have joined: mostly herds and hire-men from about Strathbogie and unacquainted with the use of arms; many of them are pressed and intend to desert; 100 or 150 of Grant’s men would drive them to the devil, and capture Lord Lewis and his prime minister Abbachy (Gordon of Avochie). Lord Findlater’s tenants and the people of Keith are being ruined by Abbachy and look to Grant as their only saviour. If Lord Loudoun would take possession of old Balveny Castle it would spoil Lord Lewis’s recruiting.
App. 27. Lord Findlater’s Steward[542] to his Lordship, dated 11th Dec.—I had a Letter from John Saunders in Keith upon Sabbath day night, informing me that there had 60 of Lord Lewis men come to that place upon Saturdays night, under command of one White and that he and others in that place much wanted advice what to do. To whom I wrote for Answer, that I had a letter from Lord Lewis Gordon for your Lordship, which I forwarded by Express, was very peremptor, Lord Lewis had given no orders for making the least demand upon your Lordships Estate before its Return, so I expected that none concerned in him, would offer to do it before that Time, yet notwithstanding thereof, I had the inclosed this day from William Taylor, to which I answered that as I sent Lord Lewis Letter to your Lordship per Express, I could neither give answer nor advice to his Letter, but that I expected that none concerned in Lord Lewis would have made any demand of your Lop. Estate before I had your Answer. As likeways that they would have defered compounding the matter untill that Time. David Tulloch[662] is just now at Banff with about 60 or 80 men and as I am told demands no fewer Levies from that Town as 200 men. Birkenbush was here last night, and told me that as it is not in his power to get your Lordships Estate saved in such a way as he would have desired has utterly refused having any Concern in uplifting the Levies from that Bounds, for which I have been very angry at him; but it cannot now help. To appearance Mr. Tulloch or Abbachy will be soon here, and unless your Lordship fall upon some shift for relief to us, we shall suffer extremely.
[544] App. 28. C. of G., ii. 192. (From Castle Grant.)
[545] App. 29. Earl of Findlater to Mr. Grant, dated 13th Dec.—After despatching the short letter I wrote you this morning, which is inclosed, I received the Inclosed from the President. All that I shall say is, that all their Proceedings will not secure our Safety unless a Sufficient right and Trusty Party is left in Banffshire for Lord Lewis’s small partys will stir as soon as they are past, if there is not force enough to suppress them. You know the State of my health makes it impossible for me to attend Lord Loudoun and make things agreeable to him as I would wish. I have writ to Tochineil[663] and John and William Ogilvies Sheriffs deputes to do their duty the best they can in all respects; but I am not without my own Fears that Fear and trembling for after Consequences may make some if not all of them extremely unwilling to act. Perhaps even they may decline it. You know you have full Power in everything that concerns me, to do what you think proper and I have full confidence you will do whatever you think right; but least some thing more formal should be requisite, with regard to the office of Sheriff I hereby give you full Power to act as Sheriff Depute of Banffshire and to employ such substitutes under you as you shall think fitt, for which this shall be to you and them a sufficient warrant and Commission, I always am most affectionately and entirely yours.
P.—My son intends to go down by Forress to wait of Lord Loudoun tomorrow; but as he continues extremely ill off the Cold I am uncertain if he will be really able to go. I begg you will send the Inclosed to Tochineil by some sturdy clever Man because the bearer is feckless and too well known, and may be searched for Letters. It contains orders for Tochineil, John and William Ogilvies to attend my Lord Loudoun. Keep the Presidents letter. Your wife opened the inclosed from Robert Grant.
[546] App. 30. C. of G., ii. 189. (From Culloden.) This letter contains a postscript saying that Lord Loudoun ‘had prevailed with Lord Lovat to come in with him to town [Inverness] to reside at liberty there till the present confusions are over, to deliver up what arms he has, and to sign all proper orders to his clan to remain quiet. Loudoun brings him on with him to-day 11th [Dec.] 9 a clock in the morning.’
[547] Boat o’ Bridge, the ferry on the Spey near the mouth of the Mulben burn, now superseded by a road and a railway bridge.
[548] Sir Harry Innes of Innes (Morayshire), 5th bart. Suc. 1721; d. 1762. He was a brother-in-law of Ludovick Grant, married to his sister Anne. Innes’s son James suc. as Duke of Roxburghe on the death of the 4th duke in 1805.
[549] App. 31. C. of G., ii. 193. (From Elgin.) Macleod will most cheerfully act in conjunction with Grant in everything thought proper.